The arrival of summer marks the end of another school year and the anticipation of beach vacations, backyard cookouts, and pool parties. This time of year also brings the annual company festival with the boss manning the BBQ...more

The middle of the holiday season means more than just busy shopping malls. It is also the time when many people host holiday parties. After attending Mora Rounds’ holiday party and consuming several adult beverages, Bitu...more

This is the time of year to anxiously look forward to all that is anticipated to come in 2015. But it is also the time to look back at all that has happened in 2014. Rather than simply give you links to all of my stimulating...more

With Halloween and Thanksgiving behind us, and Christmas and Hanukkah just around the corner, it is time to consider how to have a merry season, while protecting both your employees and your company. Giving forethought to...more

Everyone loves a good holiday party. It is a time to unwind with co-workers and show appreciation for another year of hard work. But if you are the boss, you may have heard about or been a part of a holiday party gone awry...more

At this time of the year many companies and trade associations host holiday parties and invite government officials and staff. Strict rules regulate whether attendance is ethically permissible. More than ever, government...more

Employers throwing an annual holiday party also throw open a door to a range of potential risks. From unfortunate slip-and-fall accidents to claims of harassment to tragic accidents on employees’ drives home, only one thing...more

With the Holiday Season in full swing, many employers ask us about the wisdom of holding company parties where alcohol will be served. They generally want to know about the risk involved if an employee drinks too much at the...more

It’s that time of year again, when holiday parties abound and the number of buzzed drivers or intoxicated drivers on the roads increase, putting many innocent pedestrians, drivers, bicyclists, and motorists at risk. We may...more

The approaching holiday season offers employers the opportunity to show their appreciation for a year of hard work by hosting holiday parties where employees can relax and enjoy themselves with co-workers. However, without...more

Last year HRLegalist offered Eight Tips for a Problem-Free Office Holiday Celebration. This year we’ve complemented that most excellent advice with a few more suggestions to help your company foster a festive holiday spirit...more

He was fired only 78 days later, and he hadn’t even had a chance to take over the show. His “listening tour” with employees, which began in September and was continuing when he was fired, is supposedly what did him in....more

And, as luck would have it, I presented a webinar on Wednesday with David Weisenfeld of XpertHR on “How to Make Your Workplace Holiday Party Sparkle — With No Legal Hangovers,” and got some great questions from the attendees....more

Back by popular demand, here is our annual “Avoiding Holiday Liability” issue of the Workplace Word.
‘Tis the season to be jolly. However, while you are enjoying the holiday cheer and a cup of hot chocolate, don’t...more

Every year about this time, employers are knee-deep in menus and decorations as they plan holiday events for employees – ranging from in-the-office celebrations to lavish parties at fancy locations. Inevitably, some things go...more

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. For one day out of the 365/366 days of the year, everyone has the opportunity to be anyone or anything they want to be. It’s a blast. Over the last few years, I’ve been “your mom”, a...more

‘Tis the season for office holiday parties which, unfortunately, are often fraught with labor and employment issues. A wild office party akin to a “Mad Men”-esque soirée may have unfortunate legal consequences for an employer...more

The season of workplace social functions is upon us, for better and for worse. An office party that goes off the rails is not just the subject of water cooler gossip; it's a real source of employee complaints, workers...more

With Christmas just around the corner, the holiday season is well underway. For many, this means that the next few weeks will be filled with buying and wrapping gifts, baking and decorating cookies, listening to festive...more

The holiday season is upon us – a time when many companies (and/or managers) may be organizing holiday parties, decorating offices, throwing off-site parties or holding secret gift exchanges among coworkers. Many employers,...more

Let's say that you are having a Holiday party (with alcohol served) at your home, or you are a business owner and have a voluntary "company" party for your employees. If someone becomes "visibly intoxicated" at your party,...more

Who, What, Why . . .
Who does it apply to: This one is pretty straight forward. It applies to all employers contemplating any type of holiday gathering for its staff.
What are the legal issues: Holiday parties...more

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